But if the Kosovars do not budge, the mediators will be back to square one.

ECONOMIST: Kosovo��s elusive peace

If Royal walked away, and an alternative tie-up with Carnival deal was then blocked by regulators, the company would be back to square one, probably leaving shareholders nursing hefty losses.

BBC: Valentine test for Princess tie-up

If Congress fails to pass a bill, we'll be back to square one in the new year, with the Senate needing to pass a new bill which will then have to be ratified by the House.

CNN: Goodbye, Postal Service?

The Commission's report comes a month after Mr Osborne urged its members not to send the government's proposed reform "back to square one" by "unpicking" the consensus on how it should be carried out.

BBC: Business